Newswatch

Land use law keeps North Shore rural

Mayor Peter Carlisle signed a bill into law yesterday that updates the North Shore’s sustainable communities plan that Carlisle said will “keep country country.”

The plan covers the area from Kaena Point to Kawela Bay and was unanimously approved by the City Council on April 20.

Other regional plans that will guide city land use are coming up for hearings later this year.

“We understand it’s important for the North Shore community to keep country country,” Carlisle said. “The key elements of the plan’s vision addresses protection of agriculture, open space and natural and cultural resources and the provision of adequate infrastructure.”

The last North Shore plan was adopted by the City Council in 2000.

Inmate beaten by guards sues state

A state prison inmate whose beating at Halawa Correctional Facility was captured by a prison surveillance camera is suing the state and the three prison guards who were fired for beating him.

The beating happened June 16, 2009.

The three former prison guards are Puifatu Fiso Jr., Darren Kaneaiakala and Allen Tevaga. All three pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault. None of them was sentenced to any jail time.

The video shows Fiso and Kaneaiakala cornering inmate Joseph Tui in a cell and punching him. It also shows Tevaga kicking Tui in the head while Tui is on the floor.

The state said the prison guards entered Tui’s cell after Tui demanded a mattress.

His lawyer, Myles Breiner, said Tui was in an isolation cell on safety watch at the time because of mental illness.

Tui is serving a 10-year prison term for first-degree burglary.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

DOH warns of shoreline pollution

The state Department of Health has issued a brown-water advisory for the eastern shores of Kauai, from Nawiliwili Bay to Haena Beach, because of runoff from Monday’s heavy rain.

The public is advised to stay out of areas affected by floodwaters and storm water runoff due to possible overflowing cesspools, overflowing sewer manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, chemicals, pathogens and flood debris.

If coastal waters are cloudy and brown, stay out, officials advise.

Kauai seeks teen lifeguard candidates

Kauai teens are invited to register for the Kauai County Junior Lifeguard Program, which will be offered in five weeklong sessions in June and July.

The program is free and is designed to teach people ages 13 to 17 ocean safety and lifesaving skills. Participants must be able to swim and run 100 yards nonstop without assistance.

Applications can be picked up at county lifeguard towers and at the Fire Department headquarters in the Hale Pumehana Building, 3083 Akahi St.

The sessions are at Salt Pond, June 13-17; Lydgate, June 20-24; Hanalei, June 27-July 1; Poipu, July 11-15; and Kalapaki, July 18-22. The weeklong sessions run Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Registration is limited to 50 participants per site.

Participants will need to bring their own lunch, sunscreen and a towel each day.

Program sponsors include Kauai County, Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, Kauai Lifeguard Association and many businesses and individuals.

For more information, call the Ocean Safety Bureau at 241-4984 or 241-4979.

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the TERMS OF SERVICE. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. Because only subscribers are allowed to comment, we have your personal information and are able to contact you. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. To report comments that you believe do not follow our guidelines, email commentfeedback@staradvertiser.com.